Sport

Extra incentive as Jack Brooks returns to Yorkshire ranks

JACK BROOKS says his personal performance in last year’s LV= County Championship clash with Durham at Scarborough still irritates him - and he wants to right a wrong at Headingley today.

The Yorkshire fast bowler, the joint leading wicket-taker in this summer’s division one with 42, returned 1-111 from 27 overs and 0-13 from two last August as Durham won a match which put them on course for the title.

Both sides are in title contention again this year. Yorkshire are eight points behind leaders Nottinghamshire with a game in hand and Durham are 37 behind with a couple of games in hand.

"I personally was disappointed with my performance at Scarborough last year,” admitted the 30-year-old, who is back after being rested from last week’s Twenty20 matches.

“It was the big game of the season, and I didn't really feel I turned up in it. It would be nice for me to turn up in this game and show what I'm capable of.

“It would be nice to just win the game to be honest. It doesn't matter who we're playing, we're going to have to win games to win the Championship. We're really looking forward to it.

"They have won two on the bounce. They're champions for a reason at the end of the day, and they're always going to be difficult to beat no matter when you play them. The game at Scarborough hurt us a lot last year, so we'll be aiming to try and right a few wrongs.

"We're in good form and so are they. It should make for a decent game of cricket.”

A number of Yorkshire players have spoken in the last fortnight or so about learning from last year’s mistakes. Some have admitted to getting complacent in the final stages of the season as the title was in their sights.

But Brooks added: "Maybe last year we might have got a little bit carried away, particularly with the 150th. But I know this year that's certainly not going to happen. The lads are just really focused both on and off the field.”

Meanwhile, Aaron Finch smashed a brilliant 181 not out in Saturday’s MCC Bicentenary Celebration match at Lord’s. He guided the MCC to a successful chase of 294 against the Rest of the World.